Immigration
If you don’t have an automatic right to enter and reside in the UK, we can help you apply for permission. Every case is different, so we’ll look at your individual circumstances. The costs outlined below relate to general visa applications and appeals to the First-Tier Tribunal. For other services, please contact us.
GENERAL VISA APPLICATIONS: WHAT WE CHARGE
We charge between £100.00 + VAT and £350.00 + VAT per hour (depending on seniority, see table below). In some limited cases and on request, we may agree to work on a fixed-fee, contingency or damages-based basis. We only do this in exceptional cases and our fees would be discussed and agreed before we start work.
Need to specify grades of seniority:
Every case is different and so we can only estimate the costs of our service once we’ve discussed your situation and seen your paperwork. To give you an indication, you can expect to pay:
- Low complexity: £350 to £5,000
- Mid complexity: £5,000 to £10,000
- High complexity: in excess of £10,000
- Proof of residence for EEA and Swiss citizens and their family members (EEA Family Permits, Registration Certificates, Residence Cards, Documents Certifying Permanent Residence, Permanent Residence Cards) starts from £500 plus VAT
- Applying under EU settlement Scheme starts from £350 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to visit the UK (for tourism, or visiting friends / family) starts from £850 plus VAT
- Student (Tier 4) applications starts from £5000 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK as the parent of a Tier 4 (Child) student starts from £1500 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK for short-term study starts from £2500 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK for work experience, as a charity worker or religious worker (Tier 5 Temporary Workers) starts from £1000 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK for a working holiday worker (Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme) starts from £2500 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK for skilled work in any of the Tier 2 immigration categories starts from £2500 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK as a Tier 1 (Innovator) starts from £5000 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK as a Tier 1 (Investor)-starts from £5000 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category starts from £5000 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK as the spouse of a British citizen or person who is settled in the UK (including fiancé(e)s, civil partners, proposed civil partners and unmarried partners) starts from £1500 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa for an adult dependant relative starts from £1500 plus VAT
- Applying for a visa to come to the UK in the UK Ancestry category starts from £1500 plus VAT
- Applying for indefinite leave to remain in the UK on the basis of long residence starts from £850 plus VAT
- Applying to become a British citizen starts from £500 plus VAT
- Health and Care Visa starts from £1000 plus VAT
Factors which could impact the complexity of your case and thereby could lead to an increase in cost are if:
- A lot of documentation is needed to be submitted in support of your application
- Your application is linked to the applications of others (e.g. your dependants)
- Your application has been previously refused previously or if you are challenging a refusal of your application additional reports are required
- we need to liaise with additional parties
What is included
- We’ll discuss your circumstances in detail and establish the best application for you to make, as well as outlining any alternative options available to you.
- We’ll give you advice on the immigration rules and requirements, the likely outcome and timescale of your application.
- We’ll advise you on the supporting evidence you’ll need to provide, review it and advise if you need to provide more information.
- We’ll prepare your application, submitting it on your behalf.
- If the Home Office asks you to attend an interview, we’ll prepare you so that you can present your case. We’ll explain the questions you’ll likely be asked as well as the reasons behind them so you know exactly what they need to know.
- We’ll discuss the Home Office’s decision with you and any further action you may be able to take if you are not satisfied with the decision.
Timescales
We would expect to submit your application within 4 to 6 weeks of you instructing us. We always let you know if we anticipate any delays.
The process is run by the Home Office and they deal with applications in the order in which they are received. The Home Office publishes guidance on its current processing times but your application may take longer.
APPEALS: WHAT WE CHARGE
If your application is refused, we can help with your appeal. Depending on the reason your appeal is rejected, our fees will range from £3,000 to £15,000.
What is included
- Review your initial application and the Home Office response.
- Assess and determine any grounds for appeal.
- Submit the appeal.
- Represent you at the appeal hearing.
- Discuss the Home Office decision with you and any further options available to you.
Timescales
You should expect an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal to take up to a year. We anticipate that Brexit may increase timescales as the Home Office gets busier.
FOR VISA APPLICATIONS AND APPEALS
The following additional costs, exclusions, disbursements, rates and VAT apply to both visa applications and appeals.
Additional Costs
Expert Reports: If we need an expert to prepare a report to support your applications they will charge a fee (from £1,000 – 20,000). This would only be required if your application is complex or you’re challenging a rejected application.
The fees for instructing a barrister/advocate to represent you at an appeal hearing or to advise and draft grounds of appeal. This depends on the complexity of the case, the experience of the advocate needed and whether the matter reaches an appeal.
Junior barrister:
- £200 to £250 per hour for advice on a case.
- £1500 to £2000 per day in tribunal.
Senior barrister:
- £500-600 per hour for advice.
- £3000 to £5000 per day in tribunal.
The fees of an interpreterwhere you do not speak perfect English, which are in the region of £100 an hour.
The UK Visas and Immigration or Home Office feesfor making the application. You will pay this to the Home Office directly as part of the application process.
Exclusions
Our fees do not include:
- Applications for your dependants.
- Attendance at and travel to/from Home Office interviews.
- Advice and assistance in relation to any appeal if your application is rejected.
Disbursements
Disbursements are costs payable to third parties. We handle the payment of disbursements on your behalf.
Most disbursements attract VAT at the prevailing rate which we’ll add to the bills we receive. We pass the total cost on to you. We do not add VAT on to disbursements where VAT has already been added by the relevant third party. Certain disbursements such as official fees are not subject to VAT.
Rates and VAT
Where VAT applies, we add this to our charges at the prevailing rate. Unless otherwise specified, all figures are quoted exclusive of VAT.
